WORSHIP 10 a.m. In-Person & Online

Worship

We worship on Sundays at 10 a.m. in-perso week.

welcome.

and booster shots. If you feel ill, please choose to worship from home online. Let us know if you need assistance in joining online.

Nursery Care is Back!

Nursery Care is once again available on Sunday mornings from 9:3011 a.m. in Room 204 in the Education Building. Parents with young children are also welcome to worship in the sanctuary or in the Kids Zone in the narthex.

Sundays @ 10 a.m.

Sunday School is now being held in Room 206 We are so grateful to our Sunday School teachers (Dot Plukas and Sandra Jones) for their ongoing care and commitment to our children and families.

Sundays, 10 a.m. Room 206

After Worship Social Time

Join others in the courtyard or in Simkins Hall (depending on the weather) table (all donuts individually wrapped). Stop by the Welcome Table and visit with staff member David Penson if you have any questions.

Sunday Flowers

Honor the memory of a loved one, celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other event, or give towards the Flower Fund. The cost of Sunday Flowers is $80. You are welcome to take one or both arrangements after worship. The staff will be happy to assist you.

• Date request of dedication is subject to availability. Written dedications should be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before the requested Sunday to ensure print on the back of the Order of Worship, and to be included in the Friday community email. To order, visit: www.santamonicaumc.org/flower-fund.

Pressure Screenings

The Health Ministry Council hosts Blood Pressure screenings every third Sunday of the month (subject to change.) We are grateful to this ministry for their continued care of the congregation!

Sunday, February 19, after worship, in the Fireside Room

February at a Glance

Sun Feb 5 Holy Communion

Wed Feb 8 February Mid-Week Recital

Open Space Gathering

Sat Feb 11 Kids Night Out

Sun Feb 12 Grief and Graces last class via Zoom

Sun Feb 19 Transfiguration Sunday

Lenten Devotional booklets available

Wed Feb 22 First day in Lent; Ash Wednesday; Ash Wednesday Services in the Chapel12 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Daily Devotion emails begin

Fri Feb 24 Last day to sign up for the Youth Service Project Trip

Sun Feb 26: 1st Sunday in Lent

Youth Confirmation Class begins

February Online Mid-Week Recital

February’s Mid-Week Recital features Tom Batson, piano. Tom is a pianist and accompanist based in New York City. In 2020, he completed studies with Michael Lewin and Pavel Nersessian at Boston University, graduating magna cum laude with degrees in Piano Performance and English. Alongside his solo performance, Tom is an avid collaborative pianist who especially enjoys accompanying vocalists and playing chamber music. Currently, Tom works as a Program Assistant for Grants Management at Trinity Church Wall Street, an Episcopal parish in New York City whose philanthropy touches housing and homelessness, racial justice, leadership development, and mission real estate development. After nearly twenty years, Tom is delighted to reconnect with the Santa Monica First community and looks forward to sharing a program of piano works by Schumann, Debussy, and Barber. Some of you might remember Tom from First UMC, where his father Gregory Batson served as Minister here from 2004-2009.

How to watch:

• Facebook Live - Search @santamonicaumc

• YouTube Live- Search “Santa Monica UMC”

• Website - www.santamonicaumc.org/livestream

• The App - download the app at the App Store, search FirstUMC_SM

February Mid-Week Recital: Wednesday, February 8, 12:10 p.m. Livestream. Available to watch anytime afterwards on the above platforms.

Listening Hearts Women’s Group with Tricia Guerrero

Listening Hearts is a group for women of all ages, grounded in the practices of sacred listening, prayer and reflection. Alongside one another, we share our stories, listen to one another, and grow in God’s loving presence. www.santamonicaumc.org/small-groups

February Dates: February 1 , 6:30 p.m. via Zoom; February 8, Coffee and Connect, 10 a.m. at Literati Cafe

Kids Night Out!

Kids Night Out is back! While parents enjoy an evening out, children are provided a safe and fun night of games, activities and crafts, pizza dinner, and a movie with our trained childcare team.

When: Saturday, February 11, 4-8 p.m. Where: Second Floor Education Building

Cost: $30/child + $15 for each additional sibling

Ages: 2 years through 5th grade

Pre-registration is required. To sign up, register online no later than February 8, and you will receive a confirmation email with details for the evening including drop-off/pick-up information. For questions, please contact Tricia Guerrero, Director of Children and Youth Ministry at: t.guerrero@santamonicaumc.org, or 310-393-8258 (ext. 104). Sign up here: www.santamonicaumc.org/kids-night-out Saturday, February 11, 4 - 8 p.m., in the First UMC Education Bldg., 2nd Floor.

First UMC takes the care and safety of children seriously. We follow Safe Sanctuaries® practices, which is our commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all of our children, youth and adults.

Grief and Graces with Rev. Keri Olsen Paget

Rev. Keri Olsen Paget continues with the online gathering of “Grief and Graces, a sacred space for weary souls.” Meeting for one more Sunday via Zoom, come for a time of reflection, to name the challenges and gifts of this time, listen for God’s invitation, and close with prayer. It’s not too late to attend, sign up here: www.santamonicaumc.org/griefs-and-graces Sunday, February 12, 4-5 p.m. via Zoom

Youth Service Trip 2023

The 2023 Youth Service Trip is an annual week of service for teens in 8th through 12th grade, and this summer they will be serving with Appalachia Service Project.

This year the theme is Love Strong: Luke 10:27 says… “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.” (NIV)

This verse is a call to action, urging us to live as people who love God with everything we have and who extend the love of God to all people in need, our neighbors. We love God when we live fully in relationship with God and our neighbor. This connects deeply with ASP’s core value of “accepting people right where they are, just the way they are.” When we accept all people, share God’s love with them, and embrace them as neighbors–we become those who Love Strong.

Deadline to sign-up is February 24: www.santamonicaumc.org/ysp

Confirmation Class beginning

As we grow into young adults in the church, we are invited into a confirmation experience to ask ourselves these important questions: “Where do I belong?” and “What do I affirm?” Confirmation Class is a chance to explore what it means to be a Christian, a United Methodist, and a Child of God. It is also a sacred time for youth to ask questions, bring doubts and explore faithfully what it means to be a follower of Christ in the 21st century. At the end, they are affirmed in worship as they are received into the community through their own decision. Contact Tricia if you have questions or for more information: t.guerrero@santamonicaumc.org. Class will be held on: Sundays, February 26 - March 26, 9:30-11:30 a.m. in Room 203

Open Space Young Adults

Open Space is a young adult ministry that offers community for young adults to journey alongside one another in spiritual discovery, growth, and belonging. They gather once a month in person, and sometimes on Zoom, for conversations on faith and life, engaging in prayer and study. Visit: www.santamonicaumc.org/open-space

Next Gathering: Wednesday, February 8

Men’s Bible Study Zoom Meetings

Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study is a weekly meeting where men of all ages and generations gather to ground themselves in the Holy Scripture during online breakfast. As men try to navigate the stresses and complexities of this modern world and daily life, Men’s Breakfast is a place for community, prayer and fellowship through the sharing of God’s Holy word. Come by online as your schedule permits! For more info and to sign up, go to: www.santamonicaumc.org/biblestudy.

Every Tuesday, 7 a.m., via Zoom

LOOKING FORWARD TO MARCH Lenten Zoom Study: Gospel of Matthew

Rev. Larry Young will be leading a 6-week study of the Gospel of Matthew, beginning Wednesday, March 1. Duplicate sessions will be offered Wednesdays at 2 and 7 p.m. The study was created for local church use by the Center for Continuing Education at Yale Divinity School, Rev. Young’s alma mater. Each session will deal with some aspect of Jesus’ ministry (Sermon on the Mount, miracles, events leading to the cross, etc.) For each, a study guide and discussion questions will be emailed ahead to class members, and each session will include a video created by Yale personnel. There will be no cost for the class. Look for sign-ups starting soon!

Class begins Wednesday, March 1, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., via Zoom